Landsbyen -Into the North- An Epic Poem 93

Their sighting of the Village came more quickly than they anticipated, only a few hours after Joulupukki had mentioned it to Lumi. “Well, sooner than expected,” Joulupukki said aloud., “almost straight ahead, Lumi, do you see it.” “Ahhh, ahhh, oh, yes, there it is. By Oden, as good as your vision and hearing are Joulupukki, I would think you a full elf, not just half.” “Where,” asked Jessica, looking in the direction of Lumi's gaze. “I do not see anything. Is your vision so much better than mine?” “I will be home soon.” They both heard Lumi speaking to the wind. “Yes you will,” Joulupukki encouraged him, slapping him gently on his back. “She is fine. Ceridfen has been watching over her.” Lumi smiled. Then to Jessica he said, “elfin senses are very acute and the island is far from us still, but I'm afraid, even as we get closer, you will still not be able to see it because of the magic around it. It keeps the island safe from humans. Until you are inside of the sphere of magic, you will only see what appears to be a smug in the corner of your vision.” “Oh,” she said, her unveiled disappointment clear on her face. “That is how I knew for sure that this guy was the one spoken of in the prophecy, he could see the Village through the magic.” Lumi told her. “We should reach it in an hour or so, let me tell the others.” Joulupukki stood but Jessica said, “It will be easier for me, my love, please allow me.” She pushed past the big man and in a single motion slid through the cabin doorway. “Joulupukki,” he turned to the Elf. “I do not wish to overstep our friendship.” “Say what you feel my friend.” Joulupukki responded curiously. “I just want you to know, I understand your attraction to Jessica. She is smart and witty, she has genuine affection for the people who are important to her and is truly empathetic toward the emotions of those around her, whether she knows them of not. Not to mention,” and he blushed as he said it, “she is quite beautiful.” “You may want to be careful of what you say,” Joulupukki replied. “I wouldn't want to have to tell Chroí that you have a crush on Jessica.” “Stop it,” Lumi demanded. “I'm being serious. I think the Gods could not have found a more suitable mate for you and I wish a life time of happiness for the two of you.” Joulupukki's smile softened, “I thank you my friend, and I feel the same about you and Chroí. She is a very special elf and the only way I can see living a life time filled with happiness is if it is along side of you and Chroí.” Lumi gleamed at this, then added, “Besides, Jessica is a bit too tall for my taste.” They both almost rolled on the seat laughing. They hovered over the Village for several minutes still outside of the magic enveloping it. Jessica saw nothing but a blur below her. “Where is it,” asked Raðulfr as he tried to wipe the blurriness from his eyes. “It is just below us,” answered Bréagán, “ You will see it as soon as we pass through the magic that hides it.” His voice was that of excitement. He felt like a child again, anticipating his arrival back at his old school where his friends awaited him, but he also felt that lingering pang of feeling alone when he was growing up. As he grew into adulthood there were only a few elves that he felt truly close to, his mentor Andghul, who was now gone, Dyndoeth, who he considered a friend but had few shared interests with, Gwaldon, perhaps the only elf he had much in common with and maybe his best friend, and Erlenkönig, the elf with whom he felt he could have had a very close relationship, but who's position in life made that impossible. He wondered if it would be different for him this time around. Joulupukki took the reins from Lumi for the final descent. “Down,” he shouted to the deer and , as usual, called each one by name. The sight was breath taking for Raðulfr as the sleigh broke through the magic barrier. He could see the tops of cottages and fountains spewing water into the air to return to earth as sparkling ice crystals. Hills dotted the area outside of the village and farms created plaid patterns along the hills. The most prominent feature though was the Keep. It was not a full castle, just a single tower that reached five levels into the sky.